This is the best chicken quesadilla recipe ever. Made with chicken, vegetables, cheese and a secret ingredient - chicken quesadillas are a delicious, healthy, quick & easy dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes!
Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium/high heat for about 1 minute.
Add chicken and cook until one side begins to turn slightly brown (about 4-5 minutes).
Add onion, minced garlic, green pepper and corn. Cook until peppers & onions become slightly soft and chicken is cooked through.
Add taco seasoning, salt (if desired) and pepper to the chicken mixture and stir.
Cook until the chicken and veggies become slightly browned.
Add 1-2 Tablespoons of the reserved mandarin orange juice and cook until all the liquid is absorbed. Taste and adjust salt & pepper as desired.
Remove pan from heat and gently mix in the mandarin oranges, slightly breaking them up as you stir. Set mixture aside.
Assemble the Quesadillas
Preheat a griddle** to about 325 degrees F or cook over medium-low heat in a skillet.
Place a tortilla on the griddle and sprinkle about ¼ cup cheddar cheese evenly on the tortilla.
Add about ¼ to ½ cup of chicken mixture (depending on the size of your tortilla).
Top with another ¼ cup of cheese and a second tortilla.
Cook until the bottom tortilla is browned, then flip and cook until the second side is brown and cheese is melted.
Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese until you have used all the filling.
Video
Notes
*Salt is optional - if your taco seasoning is salty you may not need any.**Note, you can make these on a non-stick pan over the stove. I prefer to use a griddle because I can make 2-3 at a time!Ingredient Substitutions
Chicken breasts. This is a great recipe to use up leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken (and one of our go-to's for such a situation). Ground chicken or turkey can also be used in place of diced chicken.
Olive oil. avocado oil is the best substitute.
Onion. Use your favorite variety, white, yellow or red.
Minced garlic. you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder for 1 Tablespoon minced garlic.
Bell pepper. any color works well. Or you can substitute shredded zucchini for a less conspicuous vegetable option.
Cheddar cheese. Any kind of cheddar, a Mexican cheese blend, pepper Jack, etc. all work great.
Tortillas. Choose your favorites, we prefer flour.
Mandarin oranges. this is the secret ingredient that makes these incredible. You could also use pineapple.
Serve
Cut and serve these chicken quesadillas as soon as they come off the griddle. Top with your favorite homemade salsa or homemade guacamole, sour cream, etc.Store/FreezeStore any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop.